Bosh Battles Hard But Falls Short

Toronto Raptors were coming to America with no Eddie Murphy or Arsenio Hall to be found. In the Comedy movie Eddie Murphy went to Queens New York to find a women to be his Queen. The Raptors were heading to Detroit in search of respect from the rest of league and the United States as a whole. What message would they send to the NBA and America? That is what we are going to find out. The ABC broadcast was quick to point out the Raptors had been losers their last 9 trips to Detroit.

But don't tell anyone but Mark Jones who was calling this game on ABC is the brother of Paul Jones the Radio play by play man of the Raptors. Actually ABC pointed out the fact to the national audience. The early returns in the game were positive for the Raptors as they were in the game and not off to one of the slow starts that have been part of the problems that have plagued them. They had a 12-8 lead and Chris Bosh had 6 of the 12 points on the board it was a good start to the Raptors Infomercial to America. These Pistons blew the doors off the Washington Wizards who have become the cool dark horse pick of the American media. Despite Hubie Brown taking the Raptor defense to task the Raptors were doing a solid job holding a slim lead through most of the first quarter. Jamario Moon was getting a lot of love from the ABC broadcast. Pistons would go on a 6-0 run to take the lead. But Jamario Moon would show America why he was entered in the Slam dunk contest to bring the game to even. But the Pistons closed the quarter on an 11-2 run to have a 5 point advantage on a Prince 3 point shot at the buzzer of the first.

The Raptors were not embarrassing themselves on this national stage. But It was pointed out they had 0 offensive rebounds and 0 free throw attempts which would have to change. That fact is universal and has been a constant issue for this basketball team throughout the season. The Pistons would continue to roll in the second and push the advantage to 9 points. Chris Bosh would respond and take it at Theo Ratliff . Bosh had 10 points and the Raptors were starting to get on a run of their own. Carlos Delfino would draw a foul and have a chance to get the Raptors back to with in 3 points. The former Piston would only get 1 of 2 from the line. Raptors had successfully taken Detroit's first major punch to try to take this basketball game. The Pistons had gone to the bench to play most of the second quarter and they were doing more then enough to maintain the lead for Detroit. The Raptors bench got lots of love at start of year but Detroit has a bench as good as any one in the NBA. Chris Bosh was having a outstanding half so far and was doing what he could to lead his team back. Andrea Bargnani who sometimes has had some of his best performances when the Raptors get in big games with big exposure was not on this afternoon. He missed a 3 point shot badly that would have got the Raptor back to level with the Pistons. Raptors would get called for a 5 second violation missing another chance to get back to level or within 1. Rasho Nesterovic would get a chance to get the Raptors back to within a basket as but he would miss the free throw to finish the old fashion 3 point play. The Raptors would trail by 5 points 50-45.

The ABC broadcast as far as Raptors were concerned gave a lot of love to the amazing story of Jamario Moon. It was even going to be a halftime feature on the broadcast. They also had Moon wired for sound as part of the regular things they do. The story of Moon is well known to Raptors fans but it is a great story and even knowing it makes it no less amazing. Jamario Moon is everything that is good about pro sports. Any love and attention he gets I can totally support. After all who can say the guy has not earned it for holding on to his NBA dream for so long. Before the Moon feature the panel of Micheal Wilbon of PTI fame and Jon Barry former NBA player were saying the Raptors were a disappointment and at beginning of the season were thought to be a 52-47 win team. Then why did some publications not even pick them to make the playoffs? I admit the Raptors have underachieved to a degree but not to the level that this broadcast suggested it. Some did see the Raptors winning 50 games but I don't think many were living south of the Canadian border.

So back to basketball what would the Raptors offer in this second half? How much would the Pistons play the starting unit? To start the 3rd the Piston starters would return for now. Both teams started the quarter playing a little bit sloppy. The Raptors would get back on track first and pull to within just 1 point as they were fighting to try to take their first lead since the First Quarter. T.J Ford would do just that but it would be short lived as Rip Hamilton responded at the other end. The Piston starters were doing a terrible job in comparison to their bench. The Pistons in the best in the league at taking care of the ball were making turnovers. This was giving the Raptors chance to come back. But the mistakes would end and Detroit started a mini 5-0 run to bust out in front from a tie game. Detroit missed several chances to extend that lead but the Raptors could not take advantage to this point. Chancey Billups would finally hit a 3 point shot and give Pistons back the 5 point advantage. Chris Bosh would hit a 3 point shot late and Raptors had a chance to take the lead or tie but did not. Bosh had 9 points in the quarter and 26 in the game if my math skills are up to snuff toady.

Raptors down just 2 points and would wonder which Pistons would take the floor for the final quarter. The starters or the second unit who held their own in the second quarter. Flip Saunders would give the answer in his interview after the 3rd. Saying that his second unit would play down the stretch. That would not be reason to let up for the Raptors. It would still take a huge effort to get a win. Pistons were proving that as the second unit started where they left off in the second quarter. They extended the lead to 6 points. Raptors needed to match the effort and intensity that was being shown by Detroit's reserves. The opportunity was on the table for the Raptors as the Pistons were not going to try to lose but they were not using the guys that could make that happen easier. That being said the argument could be made that Detroit's second unit had out played the starters on this day. So far the Piston's Zoo crew was getting it done half way through the 4th quarter up 8 points. If the Raptors were going to lose this game no blame could go to Chris Bosh he had 30 points and 9 rebounds to this point. Raptors were misfiring and just not able to combat the aggressive Piston defense. With just 3 minutes to go the Raptors were down 8 points and needed defensive stops if they hoped to beat the Pistons. They could not make them thus far as Pistons were getting to the paint and getting easy points. A Rodney Stucky jumper made the lead 9 and I am not sure what they bring out in Detroit but whatever it is was brought out on that shot. Raptors made a good effort in this game but defense and 4th quarter play that have been key issues would be the key issues in this game and they did not solve them. All that being said Toronto did enough to keep the momentum they had established heading into this game. The final score would be 91-84 in favor of the Pistons. If the Raptors needed any motivation on why they need finish 6th they got it today.

Boxscore:http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=280413008

Podcast: http://dinoblogger.podbean.com/2008/04/13/raps-fall-short-in-motor-city/